Handheld electronic device having hidden sound openings offset from an audio source

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a handheld electronic device. The device comprises a case and an audio transducer. The case has a housing, a cover, an indentation, a first opening and an audio transducer. The housing has a housing surface. The cover has a cover surface with at least a portion of the cover surface being disposed adjacent at least a portion of the housing surface; an elongated channel formed therein opposite the cover surface; an insert; and a lens disposed adjacent to the insert. The indentation is formed in at least one of the housing adjacent the housing surface and the cover adjacent the cover surface and the indentation is disposed between and forms a cavity in the case between at least a portion of the housing adjacent the housing surface and at least a portion of the cover adjacent the cover surface. The cavity is elongated along at least a first axis. The first opening is formed in the case and provides fluid communication between the cavity and the channel and being located along a first axis. The audio transducer is disposed on the housing and is in fluid communication with the cavity where the audio transducer is spaced from the first opening along the first axis. In the device, the indentation and the first opening are formed in the insert; and the channel is disposed between the insert and the lens.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/412,425 filed Apr. 27, 2006.

FIELD

The disclosed and claimed concept relates generally to handheldelectronic devices and, more particularly, to a handheld electronicdevice having a number of sound openings that are spaced from an audiotransducer and are generally hidden from view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Numerous types of handheld electronic device are known. Examples of suchhandheld electronic devices include, for instance, personal dataassistants (PDAs), handheld computers, two-way pagers, cellulartelephones, and the like. Many handheld electronic devices also featurea wireless communication capability, although many such handheldelectronic devices are stand-alone devices that are functional withoutcommunication with other devices.

Certain handheld electronic devices have loudspeakers that are intendedto be placed against the ear of a user. Such handheld electronic deviceswould include telephones and electronic devices having a telephonecapability, as well as other devices. Devices of this type typicallyinclude an audio transducer, i.e., a loudspeaker, disposed within a caseat an end of the case. The case typically includes one or more soundopenings formed therein adjacent a sound-producing element of the audiotransducer. The sound openings provide fluid communication between theaudio transducer and the atmosphere surrounding the handheld electronicdevice to enable sounds produced by the audio transducer to betransmitted to the atmosphere and to be heard by a user. While suchdevices have been generally effective for their intended purposes, suchdevices have not, however, been without limitation.

An electronic device having a loudspeaker that is intended to be held tothe ear typically has a low output volume. In order for sound from theaudio transducer to be received within the ear of the user, the outerear desirably forms at least a partial seal with an outer surface of theelectronic device in the region surrounding a sound opening. On somedevices such as a conventional telephone, a seal can be achieved betweenthe electronic device and the outer ear merely by placing the deviceagainst the outer ear. However, with relatively small handheldelectronic devices, the sound openings can be disposed sufficientlyclose to an edge of the electronic device that an effective seal betweenthe handheld electronic device and the user's ear can be difficult toestablish. This is particularly the case with relatively small handheldelectronic devices that are configured to include a relatively smalloutput transducer as the loudspeaker. Such an output transducer is oftendisposed within a case as close as possible to an edge of the case forreasons of compactness. That is, a handheld electronic device typicallywill not include other electronic components that are disposed, forinstance, between the audio transducer and the edge of the case.Handheld electronic devices of today typically employ printed circuitboard architecture, with the result that electronic components typicallywill not be remote from the printed circuit board and disposed betweenan audio transducer and an interior edge of a case. To intentionallyspace an audio transducer from an edge of a case would typically resultin the electronic device having a void region between the audiotransducer and the edge of the case since such a region typically wouldnot be occupied by other components of the electronic device. The resultwould be a case that is unnecessarily long and having undesirable voidregions within an interior thereof.

It thus would be desirable to provide an alternative configuration thatcan overcome at least some of the aforementioned shortcomings in theart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding can be gained from the following Descriptionwhen read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an improved handheld electronicdevice in accordance with a first embodiment of the disclosed andclaimed concept;

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of the handheld electronic device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of thehandheld electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the handheld electronicdevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view as taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, except having a lens of the handheldelectronic device removed;

FIG. 7 is a view of a portion of an interior region of the handheldelectronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of an improved handheld electronicdevice in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosed andclaimed concept;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the handheld electronicdevice of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of a portion of the handheldelectronic device of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view as taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9 andadditionally depicting a gasket of the handheld electronic device ofFIG. 8.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the specification.

DESCRIPTION

In a first aspect, a handheld electronic device is provided. The devicecomprises a case and an audio transducer. The case has a housing, acover, an indentation, a first opening and an audio transducer. Thehousing has a housing surface. The cover has a cover surface with atleast a portion of the cover surface being disposed adjacent at least aportion of the housing surface; an elongated channel formed thereinopposite the cover surface; an insert; and a lens disposed adjacent tothe insert. The indentation is formed in at least one of the housingadjacent the housing surface and the cover adjacent the cover surfaceand the indentation is disposed between and forms a cavity in the casebetween at least a portion of the housing adjacent the housing surfaceand at least a portion of the cover adjacent the cover surface. Thecavity is elongated along at least a first axis. The first opening isformed in the case and provides fluid communication between the cavityand the channel and being located along a first axis. The audiotransducer is disposed on the housing and is in fluid communication withthe cavity where the audio transducer is spaced from the first openingalong the first axis. In the device, the indentation and the firstopening are formed in the insert; and the channel is disposed betweenthe insert and the lens.

In the device, the indentation and the first opening may be formed inthe cover.

In the device, the first opening may face the lens.

In the device, at least a portion of the lens may overlie at least aportion of the insert.

In the device, the insert may comprise a body and a tongue, the tongueprotruding from the body, at least a portion of the cover surface beingdisposed on the tongue, the portion of the lens overlying at least aportion of the tongue.

In the device, the case may comprise a seal disposed between the housingand at least a portion of the tongue about a periphery of the cavity.

In the device, the body may have at least a first passage formedtherein, the passage extending between the cavity and the first opening,the passage being disposed between the tongue and the cavity.

In the device, the passage may be formed in the body adjacent the coversurface.

In the device, the insert may be shaped to form a mate with the lens andhas a plurality of passages forming sound openings between the lens andthe cover.

In a second aspect, a case for an electronic device is provided. Thecase comprises: a housing, a cover, an indentation and a first opening.The housing has a housing surface. The cover has a cover surface with atleast a portion of the cover surface being disposed adjacent at least aportion of the housing surface; an elongated channel formed thereinopposite the cover surface; an insert; and a lens disposed adjacent tothe insert. The indentation is formed in at least one of the housingadjacent the housing surface and the cover adjacent the cover surface;the indentation is disposed between and forms a cavity in the casebetween at least a portion of the housing adjacent the housing surfaceand at least a portion of the cover adjacent the cover surface. Thecavity being elongated along at least a first axis. The first opening isformed in the case providing fluid communication between the cavity andthe channel and being located along a first axis. In the case, theindentation and the first opening are formed in the insert; the channelis disposed between the insert and the lens; and an audio transducer isdisposable on the housing to be in fluid communication with the cavitysuch that the audio transducer is spaced from the first opening alongthe first axis.

In the case, the indentation and the first opening may be formed in thecover.

In the case, the first opening may face the lens.

In the case, at least a portion of the lens may overlie at least aportion of the insert.

In the case, the insert may comprise a body and a tongue, the tongueprotruding from the body, at least a portion of the cover surface beingdisposed on the tongue, the portion of the lens overlying at least aportion of the tongue.

The case may further comprise a seal disposed between the housing and atleast a portion of the tongue about a periphery of the cavity.

In the case, the body may have at least a first passage formed therein,the passage extending between the cavity and the at least first opening,the passage being disposed between the tongue and the cavity.

In the case, the passage may be formed in the body adjacent the coversurface.

In the case, the insert may be shaped to form a mate with the lens andhas a plurality of passages forming sound openings between the lens andthe cover.

In another aspect, a cover for a housing for an electronic device isprovided. The cover comprises: a cover surface with at least a portionof the cover surface is disposable adjacent at least a portion of thehousing at a housing surface; an elongated channel formed in the coveropposite the cover surface; a lens; and an indentation formed in thecover adjacent the cover surface the indentation being disposed betweenand forming a cavity with the housing adjacent the housing surface andat least a portion of the cover adjacent the cover surface, the cavitybeing elongated along at least a first axis. When the cover is disposedto the housing a first opening is formed in the housing providing fluidcommunication between the cavity and the channel and being located alonga first axis. The indentation and the first opening are formed in aninsert disposed beside the lens. The channel is disposed between theinsert and the lens. In the housing, an audio transducer is disposableon the housing to be in fluid communication with the cavity such thatthe audio transducer is spaced from the first opening along the firstaxis.

In the case, the lens may be shaped to form a mate with the insert andmay have a plurality of passages forming sound openings between the lensand the cover.

In another aspect, a handheld electronic device is provided. The devicecomprises: a case comprising a housing and a cover, the housing having ahousing surface, the cover having a cover surface and having anelongated channel formed therein opposite the cover surface; an outputapparatus comprising an audio transducer disposed on the housing; thecase having an indentation formed in at least one of the housingadjacent the housing surface and the cover adjacent the cover surface;at least a portion of the cover surface being disposed adjacent at leasta portion of the housing surface; the indentation being disposed betweenand forming a cavity in the case between at least a portion of thehousing adjacent the housing surface and at least a portion of the coveradjacent the cover surface, the cavity being elongated along at least afirst axis; the audio transducer being in fluid communication with thecavity; the case having at least a first opening formed thereinproviding fluid communication between the cavity and the channel; andthe at least first opening being spaced along the at least first axisfrom the audio transducer.

In the device, the indentation and the at least first opening may beformed in the cover.

In the device, the cover may comprise an insert and a lens disposedadjacent one another, the indentation and the at least first openingbeing formed in the insert, the channel being disposed between theinsert and the lens.

In the device, the first opening may face the lens.

In the device, at least a portion of the lens may overlie at least aportion of the insert.

In the device, the insert may comprise a body and a tongue, the tongueprotruding from the body, at least a portion of the cover surface beingdisposed on the tongue, the at least a portion of the lens overlying atleast a portion of the tongue.

In the device, the case may comprise a seal disposed between the housingand at least a portion of the tongue about a periphery of the cavity.

In the device, the body may have at least a first passage formedtherein, the passage extending between the cavity and the at least firstopening, the passage being disposed between the tongue and the cavity.

In the device, the passage may be formed in the body adjacent the coversurface. An improved handheld electronic device 4 is indicated generallyin FIG. 1 and is depicted schematically in FIG. 2. The exemplaryhandheld electronic device 4 includes a case 6 upon which is disposed anoperational apparatus that can be said to comprise an input apparatus 8,an output apparatus 12, and a processor apparatus 16. The processorapparatus 16 includes a processor 18 and a memory 20. The processor 18may be, for instance and without limitation, a microprocessor (μP), andis responsive to inputs from the input apparatus 8 and provides outputsignals to the output apparatus 12. The processor 18 also interfaceswith the memory 20. The memory 20 can be any one or more of RAM, ROM,EPROM(s), EEPROM(s), and/or other memory devices.

The input apparatus 8 includes a schematically depicted keypad 24disposed on the case 6. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the case 6 has anumber of sound openings 28 formed therein. As employed herein, theexpression “a number of” and variations thereof shall refer broadly toany nonzero quantity, including a quantity of one. Each sound opening 28is disposed at an end of a passage 30 formed in the case 6. The passages30, and thus the sound openings 28, are advantageously spaced from afirst edge 32 of the handheld electronic device 4. The sound openings 28can generally be said to be formed in the case 6 at a front surface 36of the handheld electronic device 4. The spacing of the sound openings28 from the first edge 32 advantageously enables the user to form a sealbetween the user's ear and the front surface 36, which enables the userto hear sound produced through the sound openings 28. As employedherein, the expression “seal” and variations thereof shall refer broadlyto a type of interface between two articles wherein fluid flow throughthe interface, i.e., between the articles, is resisted.

The case 6 includes a housing 40 and a lens 44, with the lens 44 beingdisposed on the housing 40. In the present embodiment the lens 44 can besaid to serve as a cover, it being understood that other types of coversmay be employed in different embodiments. The housing 40 includes afront portion 48 and a rear portion 52 (FIG. 7). FIG. 6 generallydepicts the handheld electronic device 4 with the lens 44 removed. FIG.7 depicts the handheld electronic device 4 with the front portion 48 ofthe housing 40 additionally removed. As is best shown in FIG. 6, thefront portion 48 has a window 56 and a transducer hole 60 formedtherein. The front and rear portions 48 and 52 when assembled togetherhave a hollow interior region 64 (FIG. 7) disposed generallytherebetween. The window 56 is in communication with the interior region64.

The front portion 48 includes a housing surface 68 (FIG. 6) disposedadjacent the window 56. In the present exemplary embodiment, the frontportion 48 has a seat 70 formed therein within which the lens 44 isdisposed. The housing surface 68 is generally disposed in the frontportion 48 within the seat 70. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the lens 44 hasa lens surface 72. When assembled, the lens surface 72 is disposed onthe housing surface 68.

As can further be seen in FIG. 4, the lens 44 has an indentation 76formed therein adjacent the lens surface 72. The lens 44 thus includes afloor portion 80 adjacent the indentation 76, with the floor portion 80having a floor surface 84 adjacent the indentation 76. The lens 44 alsohas a peripheral surface 88 adjacent the indentation 76 that extendsbetween the floor surface 84 and the lens surface 72. A periphery aboutthe indentation 76 is indicated generally at the numeral 92 on theportion of the lens surface 72 surrounding the indentation 76. It can beseen that the passages 30 are formed in the floor portion 80 of the lens44.

When the lens surface 72 is disposed on the housing surface 68, theperiphery 92 about the indentation 76 is sealed to the opposing portionof the housing surface 68 to form a substantially sealed cavity 96between at least a portion of the lens 44 adjacent the lens surface 72and at least a portion of the housing 40 adjacent the housing surface68. Such a seal can be formed in any of a variety of ways, such as withthe use of adhesives, welding techniques, forming techniques, and thelike.

It is understood that the cavity 96 is substantially sealed, except thatthe transducer hole 60 and the sound openings 28 are in fluidcommunication with an interior of the cavity 96 and with the exterior ofthe cavity 96. The cavity 96 is elongated along a first axis indicatedgenerally at the numeral 100 in FIG. 4. The first axis 100 is orientedsubstantially parallel with the floor surface 84. As can be understoodfrom FIGS. 4 and 5, the cavity 96 is elongated along another axistransverse to the first axis 100, whereby the cavity 96 can be said tobe elongated along a plane defined by the first axis 100 and the axistransverse thereto.

As can further be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the passages 30 in the presentexemplary embodiment extend through the floor portion 80 along a secondaxis 108 that is oriented substantially orthogonal to the first axis100. Other configurations in other embodiments are possible.

As is best understood in FIGS. 3 and 7, the output apparatus 12 includesan audio transducer 112 and a display 116 disposed on the rear portion52 of the housing 40. The audio transducer 112 in the present example isa loudspeaker disposed in a receptacle 128 (FIG. 7) on the rear portion52. The display 116 includes a screen 120 and a connection apparatus124. The display 116 and the audio transducer 112 are disposed withinthe interior region 64 of the housing 40. The screen 120 is disposedadjacent the window 56 and is visible through the window 56 to anobserver disposed at the exterior of the housing 40. It is understoodthat the atmosphere is disposed generally at the exterior of the housing40.

The connection apparatus 124 is connected (not shown in FIG. 7) with theprocessor apparatus 16. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the audio transducer112 disposed in the receptacle 128 is disposed adjacent the connectionapparatus 124 of the display 116. As is understood in the relevant art,the display 116 is a unitary structure, and the connection apparatus 124provides the means by which the screen 120 is operatively connected withthe processor apparatus 16 to enable signals from the processorapparatus 16 to be provided to the screen 120 for visual output.

A gasket 132 is depicted in FIG. 7 as being disposed atop asound-producing element of the audio transducer 112. The gasket 132forms a seal against the underside (not expressly depicted herein) ofthe front portion 48 in the region surrounding the transducer hole 60 toprovide a substantially airtight seal between the audio transducer 112and the front portion 48, which enables sound produced by the audiotransducer 112 to travel through the cavity 96 between the transducerhole 60 and the sound openings 28.

The lens 44 is at least partially translucent and at least partiallyoverlies the screen 120. As employed herein, the expression“translucent” and variations thereof shall refer broadly to a qualitythat permits the passage of light and may include a transparent qualitywherein light is transmitted without appreciable scattering so that itdoes not meaningfully alter light waves traveling therethrough.

As can be understood from FIG. 3, the audio transducer 112 is disposedclosely adjacent the first edge 32 of the case 6. The centers of thesound openings 28 are spaced farther from the first edge 32 than acenter of the audio transducer 112. In the present exemplary embodiment,the center of the audio transducer 112 is indicated generally by theplacement of the transducer hole 60, as in FIG. 6.

The cavity 96 in the present exemplary embodiment is configured to forma Helmholtz resonator that enables sounds produced by the audiotransducer 112 to be received through the transducer hole 60, into theinterior of the cavity 96, and out of the sound openings 28 where thesounds can be heard by a user, such as when the user has formed a sealbetween the user's ear and the front surface 36 of the case 6. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the cavity 96 has an interior volume onthe order of about 150 cubic millimeters, although other configurationsmay be appropriate. In the present exemplary embodiment, the centers ofthe sound openings 28 are spaced about 13-16 millimeters from the firstedge 32, and the spacing, center-to-center, between the outermost soundopenings 28 is about 10-12 millimeters, although other configurationsmay be appropriate.

The exemplary indentation 76 is formed in the lens 44 and is of a depthof about 0.6-0.8 millimeters, although other configurations could beemployed. It is also noted that in other embodiments a portion of theindentation 76 could be formed in the front portion 48 of the housing 40without departing from the present concept. For example, the receptacle128, discussed below and shown in FIG. 7, may be recessed so as to forman indentation 76A in the housing surface 68. That is, the cavity 96could be formed in both the lens 44 and the housing 40 depending on thedesired configuration.

It is understood that telephone communication typically occurs in therange of about 300-3400 hertz, and that a transducer such as the audiotransducer 112 typically operates in the 300-2000 hertz range. The audiotransducer 112 typically will produce frequencies above 2000 hertz onlyat a relatively low amplitude. The Helmholtz resonator provided by thecavity 96, the transducer hole 60, and/or the sound openings 28 is tunedto about 3000 hertz, thus amplifying those relatively higher frequenciesthat typically would be at a relatively small amplitude from the audiotransducer 112, and generally leaving other frequencies alone. As such,the Helmholtz resonator provided by the case 6 can be said to beconfigured to provide relatively better audio response in certainrespects than the audio response of the audio transducer 112 by itself.It is noted that the audio signals generated by the audio transducer 112are typically the subject of digital signal processing according to anacoustic model that takes into consideration the frequency response ofthe cavity 96 to provide an overall desirable frequency output at thesound openings 28.

The cavity 96 thus advantageously enables the sound openings 28 to bespaced away from a position directly above the audio transducer 112 to aposition offset therefrom along the first axis 100. The audio transducer112, being in fluid communication with the cavity 96 though thetransducer hole 60, enables sounds from the audio transducer 112 to becommunicated to the interior of the cavity 96. The sound openings 28,which are in fluid communication with both the interior of the cavity 96and the atmosphere via the passages 30, enable sounds produced by theaudio transducer 112 and provided to the cavity 96 to be transmittedthrough the cavity 96, through the sound openings 28, and into theatmosphere.

In this regard, when the user has at least partially formed a sealbetween the user's ear and the front surface 36 of the case 6, thesounds desirably can enter the ear and can be accurately perceived bythe user. The cavity 96 is thus configured to extend between a firstposition adjacent (i.e., above, from the perspective of FIG. 3) theaudio transducer 112, and thus adjacent (i.e., above, from theperspective of FIG. 3) the transducer hole 60, and a second positionadjacent (i.e., above, from the perspective of FIG. 3) the display 116.It can be understood that the display 116 serves as a limiting featureor structure that limits placement of the audio transducer 112 to aposition at most adjacent, but not above (from the perspective of FIG.3,) the display 116.

The cavity 96 advantageously enables the sound openings 28 to bepositioned at a location that is desirable for the transmission of soundinto the interior of the user's ear without particular regard for theprecise location of the audio transducer 112. Moreover, the soundopenings 28 are spaced along the first axis 100 from the transducer hole60. It additionally can be seen that the sound openings 28, from theperspective of FIG. 3, overly at least a portion of the display 116 and,more specifically, a portion of the connection apparatus 124. It isunderstood, however, that other configurations of the cavity 96 andother positionings of the sound openings 28 with respect to the audiotransducer 112 and/or with respect to the first edge 32 can be employed.The sound openings 28 can be spaced from the audio transducer 112, yetdesirably would not be disposed above the screen 120 where theyotherwise might interfere with the user's visual perception of thescreen 120.

Another improved handheld electronic device 204 in accordance with asecond embodiment of this disclosed and claimed concept is depictedgenerally in FIG. 8. The handheld electronic device 204 is similar tothe handheld electronic device 4 in that it includes a case 206 uponwhich are disposed an input apparatus 208, an output apparatus 212, anda processor apparatus (not shown). Moreover, the case 206 comprises ahousing 240 upon which is disposed a cover 246. However, the cover 246of the handheld electronic device 204 comprises a lens 244 and an insert242. The cover 246 can be said to have a cover surface 270 whichcomprises a lens surface 272 disposed on the lens 244 and an insertsurface 274 disposed on the insert 242. The insert 242 is mounted to thehousing 240 with the insert surface 274 being disposed on the housingsurface 268, it being understood that a gasket 332, as is best shown inFIG. 11, is disposed therebetween. The insert 242 has an indentation 276formed therein adjacent the insert surface 274. When the insert 242 isdisposed on the housing 240, the indentation 276 forms a cavity betweenthe insert 242 and the housing 240 which forms a Helmholtz resonator,such as is provided on the handheld electronic device 4.

As is best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the insert 242 has a plurality ofpassages 230 formed therein adjacent the insert surface 274. Eachpassage 230 extends between the indentation 276 and a sound opening 228on the insert 242. The sound openings 228 are advantageously largelyhidden from view when observed from the front of the handheld electronicdevice 204, but which can be at least partially viewed when seen from aproper angle, such as is shown in FIG. 9.

More specifically, the insert 242 and the lens 244 are disposed adjacentone another. As can be seen in FIG. 11, a portion of the lens 244overlies a portion of the insert 242. A lens lateral surface 294 of thelens 244 is in a confronting relationship and is spaced from an insertlateral surface 298 of the insert 242, and a channel 290 thus existsbetween the lens lateral surface 294 and the insert lateral surface 298.The channel 290 is in fluid communication with the atmosphere.

As can be understood from FIGS. 9 and 11, the sound openings 228 areformed in the insert lateral surface 298 and face the lens lateralsurface 294. As such, it can be seen that the passages 230, and thus thesound openings 228, provide fluid communication between the channel 290and the indentation 276. Fluid communication is thereby enabled betweenthe channel 290 and the cavity formed between the indentation 276 andthe housing 240.

As can further be seen from FIG. 11, the insert 242 comprises a body278, a tongue 282, and a pair of lugs 286. The tongue 282 protrudesoutwardly from the body 278, and at least a portion of the insertsurface 274 is disposed on the tongue 282. The lugs 286 protrude fromthe insert surface 274 and enable mechanical attachment of the insert242 to the housing 240. The passages 230 are formed in the body 278 andare disposed generally between the tongue 282 and the indentation 276.At least a portion of the lens 244 overlies at least a portion of thetongue 282.

The passages 230 and the sound openings 228 can been seen to be spacedalong an axis 300 from the audio transducer 312, such as is depicted inan exemplary and schematic fashion in FIG. 11. This advantageouslyfacilitates the user forming a seal between the handheld electronicdevice 204 and the user's ear for listening to sounds produced by theaudio transducer 312. That is, the positioning of the passages 230 andthe sound openings 228 enables sound to be provided to the channel 290,which can then be received in the user's ear.

The positioning of the passages 230 and the sound openings 228 enablesthe generation of audible output in an aesthetically pleasing fashion byproviding the sound openings 228 in a position substantially hidden fromview when observed from the front of the handheld electronic device 204.Such positioning of the sound openings in a position offset from theaudio transducer 312 enables the formation of a seal between the user'sear and the case 206.

Moreover, by providing the insert 242 as a component separate from thelens 244, the mounting of the insert 242 to the housing 240 is greatlysimplified. Specifically, the gasket 332 creates a seal about aperiphery of the indentation 276 between the insert 242 and the housing240, thereby sealing the cavity formed by the indentation 276 and thehousing 240. By providing the insert 242 as a component separate fromthe lens 244, i.e., the insert 242 by itself is a relatively smallercomponent than the combination of the insert 242 and the lens 244, thecavity formed by the indentation 276 and the housing 240 can be morereadily sealed. That is, the insert 242 is in a sealable configuration.Configuring the insert 242 alone in a sealable configuration is morecost effective, and is thus more advantageous, than a configurationwherein both the insert 242 and the lens 244 would be configured to beof a sealable configuration. Also, the seal provided between the housing240 and the insert 242 by the gasket 332 has a tendency to be morestable and reliable than would be a seal between the housing 240 and acomponent relatively larger than the insert 242. Moreover, the insert242 as a separate component can be readily customized with variouscolors, logos, etc., which is advantageous.

While specific embodiments of the disclosed and claimed concept havebeen described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that various modifications and alternatives to those details couldbe developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure.Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to beillustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed andclaimed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claimsappended and any and all equivalents thereof.

1. A handheld electronic device comprising: a case having a housinghaving a housing surface; a cover having a cover surface with at least aportion of the cover surface being disposed adjacent at least a portionof the housing surface; an elongated channel formed therein opposite thecover surface; an insert; and a lens disposed adjacent to the insert; anindentation formed in at least one of the housing adjacent the housingsurface and the cover adjacent the cover surface, the indentation beingdisposed between and forming a cavity in the case between at least aportion of the housing adjacent the housing surface and at least aportion of the cover adjacent the cover surface, the cavity beingelongated along at least a first axis; and a first opening formed in thecase providing fluid communication between the cavity and the channeland being located along a first axis; and an audio transducer disposedon the housing and being in fluid communication with the cavity wherethe audio transducer is spaced from the first opening along the firstaxis, wherein the indentation and the first opening are formed in theinsert; and the channel is disposed between the insert and the lens. 2.The handheld electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein theindentation and the first opening are formed in the cover.
 3. Thehandheld electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the firstopening faces the lens.
 4. The handheld electronic device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein at least a portion of the lens overlies at least aportion of the insert.
 5. The handheld electronic device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the insert comprises a body and a tongue, the tongueprotruding from the body, at least a portion of the cover surface beingdisposed on the tongue, the at least a portion of the lens overlying atleast a portion of the tongue.
 6. The handheld electronic device asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the case comprises a seal disposed betweenthe housing and at least a portion of the tongue about a periphery ofthe cavity.
 7. The handheld electronic device as claimed in claim 5,wherein the body has at least a first passage formed therein, thepassage extending between the cavity and the at least first opening, thepassage being disposed between the tongue and the cavity.
 8. Thehandheld electronic device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the passage isformed in the body adjacent the cover surface.
 9. The handheldelectronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert is shaped toform a mate with the lens and has a plurality of passages forming soundopenings between the lens and the cover.
 10. A case for an electronicdevice, the case comprising: a housing having a housing surface; a coverhaving a cover surface with at least a portion of the cover surfacebeing disposed adjacent at least a portion of the housing surface; anelongated channel formed therein opposite the cover surface; an insert;and a lens disposed adjacent to the insert; an indentation formed in atleast one of the housing adjacent the housing surface and the coveradjacent the cover surface, the indentation being disposed between andforming a cavity in the case between at least a portion of the housingadjacent the housing surface and at least a portion of the coveradjacent the cover surface, the cavity being elongated along at least afirst axis; and a first opening formed in the case providing fluidcommunication between the cavity and the channel and being located alonga first axis; wherein the indentation and the first opening are formedin the insert; the channel is disposed between the insert and the lens;and an audio transducer is disposable on the housing to be in fluidcommunication with the cavity such that the audio transducer is spacedfrom the first opening along the first axis.
 11. The case for anelectronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the indentation andthe first opening are formed in the cover.
 12. The case for anelectronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first openingfaces the lens.
 13. The case for an electronic device as claimed inclaim 10, wherein at least a portion of the lens overlies at least aportion of the insert.
 14. The case for an electronic device as claimedin claim 10, wherein the insert comprises a body and a tongue, thetongue protruding from the body, at least a portion of the cover surfacebeing disposed on the tongue, the at least a portion of the lensoverlying at least a portion of the tongue.
 15. The case for anelectronic device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the case comprises aseal disposed between the housing and at least a portion of the tongueabout a periphery of the cavity.
 16. The case for an electronic deviceas claimed in claim 14, wherein the body has at least a first passageformed therein, the passage extending between the cavity and the atleast first opening, the passage being disposed between the tongue andthe cavity.
 17. The case for an electronic device as claimed in claim16, wherein the passage is formed in the body adjacent the coversurface.
 18. The case for an electronic device as claimed in claim 10,wherein the insert is shaped to form a mate with the lens and has aplurality of passages forming sound openings between the lens and thecover.
 19. A cover for a housing for an electronic device, the covercomprising: a cover surface with at least a portion of the cover surfaceis disposable adjacent at least a portion of the housing at a housingsurface; an elongated channel formed in the cover opposite the coversurface; a lens; and an indentation formed in the cover adjacent thecover surface, the indentation being disposed between and forming acavity with the housing adjacent the housing surface and at least aportion of the cover adjacent the cover surface, the cavity beingelongated along at least a first axis; wherein when the cover isdisposed to the housing a first opening is formed in the housingproviding fluid communication between the cavity and the channel andbeing located along a first axis; the indentation and the first openingare formed in an insert disposed beside the lens; the channel isdisposed between the insert and the lens; and an audio transducer isdisposable on the housing to be in fluid communication with the cavitysuch that the audio transducer is spaced from the first opening alongthe first axis.
 20. The case for an electronic device as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the lens is shaped to form a mate with the insert andhas a plurality of passages forming sound openings between the lens andthe cover.